Where to Find the Best Sports Bar in Chicago

12.05.2016

Chicago is a drinking town with a little bit of a sports problem. The success and failures of its storied local sports teams can influence the mood of the entire city in pretty rapid succession. Whether it’s the elation from watching the Cubs clinch the World Series, or the dejection of watching the Cubs lose a chance at the World Series, there’s a rollercoaster ride of emotion involved with being a Chicago sports fan. So when the occasion calls for it, and you need to park your keister someplace where you know for certain that you’ll be able to celebrate or commiserate with like-minded fans, where do you look? In the short list of classic sports bars in Chicago, there are some stops that exude classic pub-ness and some that let the mere mortals in the stands rub shoulders with the gladiators who do battle in the arenas of Chicago’s major league stadiums.

Some of the Best Sports Bar Chicago

Miller’s Pub is a classic haunt for Chicago sports fans who want to go and discuss the fortunes and futures of da Bears’ offensive line or come up with slogans to disparage the Blackhawks’ opponent in the playoffs. Their classic springtime smelt arrival coincides with the start of baseball season, and should make for an interesting place to watch postseason action, depending on the Bulls and Blackhawks’ respective fortunes.

Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse is another place that would seem to scream sports nostalgia in Air Jordan’s own town. Even if you’re not going to carve into a classic Chicago steak, at least go to sip a drink and watch the Bulls do their thing at their massive first-floor bar.

One place Chicago sports fans may want to go to if they hope to get an autograph is Lizzie Mcneil’s, right off the Chicago River. The Irish pub is rumored to be a favorite hangout of Chicago Bears players when they’re not defending home turf on the lakefront at Soldier Field.

And finally, there are places to go where you can actually be active while enjoying Chicago sports action. How novel! AceBounce is a massive subterranean ping pong playground with 17 tables to play on, including one table direct from the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. At least you can pretend to be a world class athlete.